Expert: Jessica Bryan - 6/21/2007

Question
Jessica,

I am a writer developing the character of a successful but workaholic real estate agent who is almost never home.  My question:  What other work, projects, activities or events can an agent be involved with besides showing homes and dealing with the paperwork? What can take him out of town?  Conferences?  The idea is that my fictitional agent is completely consumed with his work (legal, above board), and I have to find a way to explain in generalities how and what that might be.  

Your help will be greatly appreciated!

Cheers,

Wendela Kilmer  

Answer
Hello Wendela;
A successful real estate agent not only shows homes, lists homes and works with clients but can very often get involved with professional organizations such as the Board of REALTORS and the state and national associations.  There are lots of meetings and conventions twice a year.  Then there are political groups and meetings that are part of being a REALTOR (the professional organization).  REALTORS have lobbyists who are very active and who report back to the association.  There are often conventions where we go to meet our legislatures both on the state and national levels.   There are also member meetings, social gatherings, classes and information that we attend.  We are required to do continuing education classes and often take additional classes to get higher professional designations like GRI, CRS, ARB, etc.  One of the ways you can find out more is to go to www.realtor.org and read about the various activities associated with being a REALTOR.  Bottom line: if a REALTOR sits on committees, serves on the Board of Directors for local or state or national association of REALTORS, volunteers to help with training or orientation programs, becomes politically active, serves as an officer of the association and any other of the myriad activities, it can take up a huge amount of time, take you away from home, and fill all one's waking hours.  In addition, REALTORS are "people" oriented and tend to do lots of community service and volunteering.  They know 'everyone' son many other organizations love having REALTORS on their committees as well.  This takes even more time.  Of course a successful agent keeps broadening their sphere of social and business associates so they can keep networking.  Various groups like the Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis, etc. hold appeal for agents who want to get out their cards and names.  To be successful one must be in the public eye constantly.  (That is not to say that there shouldn't be balance to one's life, but often there is lots of competition for a REALTOR's time.)

I hope that this helps you.  Good luck with your book.

Sincerely,
Jessica Bryan
Managing Broker
House to Home Realty Services